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Music at Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,766/yr (24% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (101,600 openings/yr)
ROI 10.5x earnings multiple (4.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #57 of 240 Music programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Music graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $480K $481K $450K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.5x 10.5x 9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.5x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 35% 31% 24%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 36 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,744
Out-of-state: $108,000 (4.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$43,664
5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,735
26% growth from Year 1

About Western Kentucky University

A 97% acceptance rate means Western Kentucky University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 12,267 students in Bowling Green, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Kentucky University →

Top Career Paths

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary $80,190/yr
Sound engineering technicians $66,430/yr
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 240 schools offering Music →

Music at Other Schools

Sam Houston State University ($59,926) The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ($56,373) Texas A & M University-Kingsville ($56,072) The University of Texas at El Paso ($56,062) University of Houston ($52,799) Texas A & M University-Commerce ($52,282) Texas State University ($51,158) West Texas A & M University ($50,881)

Other Majors at Western Kentucky University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($74,205) Mechanical Engineering ($70,722) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($68,294) Management Information Systems and Services ($64,252) Construction Engineering Technologies ($63,013) Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($60,675) Civil Engineering ($60,086) Economics ($53,857)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Music trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 36/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Music at Western Kentucky University?
At 36/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Music programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Music at Western Kentucky University?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Western Kentucky University one of the best schools for Music?
Among 240 Music programs, Western Kentucky University's #57 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →